Complete brake fluid flush procedure to replace old brake fluid with fresh DOT 3 fluid, ensuring optimal braking performance and preventing moisture contamination in the hydraulic system.

Warnings

Tools required

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
2. Ensure engine is cool and ignition is OFF
3. Have assistant available for two-person bleeding method, or prepare for one-person method with clear tubing and check valve
4. Open new bottle of DOT 3 brake fluid immediately before starting procedure
5. Locate brake fluid reservoir under hood on driver side near firewall
6. Identify bleeder screw locations: right rear, left rear, right front, left front (bleeding sequence)
7. Prepare clean catch bottles and plastic tubing for each wheel position

Procedure

1. 1

   Evacuate old fluid from reservoir
   Remove brake fluid reservoir cap. Using turkey baster or fluid evacuation pump, remove as much old brake fluid as possible from reservoir without exposing the internal filter screen. Wipe reservoir interior clean with lint-free cloth. Fill reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid from new bottle. Keep reservoir at least 3/4 full throughout entire procedure.
   ⚠Old brake fluid may be dark brown or black. This is normal but indicates moisture contamination requiring flush.
2. 2

   Lift and secure vehicle
   Loosen all wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground. Lift front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point. Place jack stands under front pinch weld points and lower vehicle onto stands. Repeat for rear, using rear jacking point and rear pinch weld positions. Ensure vehicle is stable before proceeding. Remove all four wheels.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Prepare right rear caliper for bleeding
   Starting with right rear wheel (furthest from master cylinder), locate bleeder screw on rear of brake caliper. Clean bleeder screw and surrounding area thoroughly with brake cleaner to prevent contamination. Attach clear plastic tubing over bleeder nipple. Place other end of tubing into clean catch bottle positioned below caliper level.
   ℹ️Bleeding sequence is critical: right rear, left rear, right front, left front. This ensures all air is purged from furthest point first.
4. 4

   Bleed right rear caliper
   Have assistant pump brake pedal 5-6 times and hold firm pressure. With pedal held down, use 10mm wrench to open bleeder screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Old fluid and air bubbles will flow through tubing. When flow stops and pedal reaches floor, close bleeder screw before assistant releases pedal. Repeat process until fluid runs clear and bubble-free. Check reservoir level frequently and refill to MAX line - never let it drop below MIN. Once fluid is clean, close bleeder screw to specified torque.
   ⚠️Bleeder screw MUST be closed before assistant releases brake pedal, or air will be drawn back into system.
   ⚠️Monitor reservoir constantly. If reservoir empties, air enters master cylinder requiring complete system re-bleeding.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Bleed left rear caliper
   Move to left rear wheel and repeat bleeder screw preparation. Clean bleeder area, attach clear tubing to bleeder screw, and position catch bottle. Perform same bleeding procedure: assistant pumps and holds pedal, open bleeder screw, observe fluid flow until clear and bubble-free, close bleeder screw before pedal release. Repeat until only fresh clean fluid emerges. Torque bleeder screw to specification. Keep reservoir topped off throughout process.
   ⚠Fresh DOT 3 fluid should be clear to light amber. Dark or discolored fluid indicates more bleeding needed.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Bleed right front caliper
   Move to right front wheel. Locate bleeder screw on rear of front caliper. Clean area thoroughly and attach tubing to bleeder nipple with catch bottle positioned below. Repeat bleeding procedure: pump pedal 5-6 times, hold pressure, open bleeder 1/4 turn, allow fluid to flow until clean and bubble-free, close bleeder before releasing pedal. Continue until fresh fluid flows consistently. Torque bleeder screw and verify no leaks.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Bleed left front caliper
   Move to left front wheel (closest to master cylinder, final position). Clean bleeder screw area and attach tubing with catch bottle. Perform final bleeding procedure using same pump-hold-open-close technique. This caliper may require more cycles to ensure all old fluid is completely purged from system. Continue until fluid is perfectly clear with zero air bubbles. Torque bleeder screw to specification.
   ℹ️Left front is last position to bleed. Ensure fluid is completely clear before finishing.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Final reservoir fill and inspection
   Fill brake fluid reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 3 fluid. Wipe reservoir exterior and cap threads clean. Install reservoir cap securely. Inspect all four bleeder screws for leaks - retighten to specification if any seepage observed. Check all brake hoses and connections for fluid leaks. Wipe all components clean of any spilled brake fluid.
   ⚠Even small amounts of spilled brake fluid can damage paint. Clean all surfaces immediately.
9. 9

   Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
   Reinstall all four wheels, hand-threading lug nuts. Raise vehicle slightly with jack to remove jack stands. Lower vehicle until wheels just contact ground but weight is still on jack. Torque all lug nuts to specification in star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack. Re-torque lug nuts in star pattern to verify proper torque.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Pedal feel verification and test bleeding
    With engine OFF, pump brake pedal 15-20 times. Pedal should become firm and maintain height. If pedal feels spongy or sinks slowly, air remains in system and re-bleeding is required. Start engine - pedal will drop slightly (normal power brake assist). Apply firm brake pressure and hold for 30 seconds - pedal should not continue sinking. If pedal behavior is abnormal, do not drive vehicle.
    ⚠️Do NOT drive vehicle if brake pedal feels soft, spongy, or sinks to floor. This indicates air in system or other brake failure. Re-bleed entire system or seek professional service.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all bleeder screws are torqued to 10 Nm (7 lb-ft) and show no signs of leakage
2. Verify brake fluid reservoir is filled to MAX line with cap securely installed
3. Confirm all wheels are properly torqued in star pattern to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
4. Double-check that no brake fluid has contacted painted surfaces or rubber components

Verification

• Check brake fluid level in reservoir - should be at MAX line with fresh, clear fluid visible
• Pump brake pedal 20 times with engine off - pedal should become firm within 5-6 pumps and hold pressure
• Start engine and verify pedal drops slightly but remains firm when pressed
• Perform low-speed brake test in safe area: at 5-10 mph, apply brakes firmly - vehicle should stop smoothly without pulling to either side
• Inspect ground under all four wheels for any brake fluid leaks after test drive
• Re-check reservoir level after test drive - should remain at MAX line
• Verify firm pedal feel and proper stopping power before returning vehicle to normal service
• If ANY abnormal pedal behavior, pulling, or soft pedal is detected, do not drive vehicle - seek immediate professional inspection

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